How Can Your Body Learn to Tolerate Cold?

How Can Your Body Learn to Tolerate Cold?

From BrainStuff by iHeartPodcasts

March 30, 2026 · 11 min

About this episode

This episode explores how the body learns to tolerate cold temperatures and the physiological responses involved.

When you shiver, your fingers and toes go numb, or you get goosebumps in the cold, that's actually your body trying to keep you warm. Learn how it works -- and how you habituate to chilly temperatures over time -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/nervous-system/body-learn-frigid-temperatures.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics covered

  • cold tolerance
  • human body
  • nervous system
  • habituation
  • temperature regulation

Keywords

  • cold
  • tolerance
  • shivering
  • goosebumps
  • numbness
  • habituation
  • temperature
  • nervous system

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BrainStuff, iHeartPodcasts

Books & works: How Can Your Body Learn to Tolerate Cold?

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